PRESS DIGEST - British business - Nov CORRECTION

The Times

BMI STRUGGLES TO GET SALE OF LANDING SLOTS OFF THE GROUND

British Midland [BRSMDA.UL] could struggle to raise the 95 million pounds needed to keep flying due to a lack of potential buyers for its landing slots at Heathrow. The slots normally change hands for tens of millions of dollars each, but many of the world's top airlines, including British Airways(BAY.L) and Virgin Atlantic, are not interested. Speculation from analysts points to possible interest from an Asian carrier, but only at a bargain price. BMI needs to raise 190 million pounds by the end of October 2010 in order to survive.

RUSH TO SWAP DEBT FOR EQUITY PROMPTS LLOYDS TO CONSIDER RAISING 1.5 BILLION MORE

Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY.L) said it may increase its capital-raising by 1.5 billion pounds due to a high level of interest from investors. The increase to 22.5 billion pounds would see investors converting their tier 1 and tier 2 debt into new "contingent capital", a move that analysts estimate will cost the bank between 100 and 300 million pounds extra a year to pay the coupon. Lloyds is still targeting 13.5 billion pounds through a conventional rights issue that will be priced on Nov. 24.

REGULATOR COULD FORCE BT'S RIVALS TO HELP CARRY BURDEN OF ITS SIX BILLION POUND PENSION DEFICIT